Faulkner's Three Run Home Run Lifts Broncos to 9-7 Victory at San Jose State

SAN JOSE, Calif. -
Sophomore Nathan Faulkner hit a three-run home run in the top of the 11th inning to lead the Santa Clara baseball team to a 9-7 victory over San Jose State. The Broncos have won their last four games of the season and improve to 11-6 with today's win. The Spartans fall to 4-7-1.

Tied at 6-6 heading into the top of the 11th inning, the Broncos started the frame with an out. Carl Bacon would become the first Bronco base runner of the inning when he reached and moved to second on an error. After another Bronco out, the Spartans issued an intentional walk to Robert Perry. Faulkner would follow Perry after entering the game as a pinch runner in the top of the 10th. The Temecula, Calif. native hit his first home run of the season to drive in both runners and give the Broncos the needed advantage.

In the bottom of the frame, the Spartans attempted a late rally of their own. Singles from Brandon Fromm and Nate Corrick kept the inning alive before Nick Epidendio drove in Fromm with a single of his own. However, Sam Hall's fly ball to right field would end the inning and the game for San Jose State.

The first Santa Clara run of the day came from Nic Crosta with a solo shot in the top of the second inning as the Spartans already led 2-0. It was also his first round tripper of the year.

After San Jose State added two runs in the bottom of the second, Santa Clara would even the score with two in the fifth and one in the sixth. A sacrifice fly from Jason Matteucci brought Crosta in to score in the fifth before Bacon added another win a solo home run. It also marked the first of his season as well. In the sixth, a sacrifice fly from Kris Watts drove in Dustin Realini, who had reached base on a double. At the end of five and a half innings, the teams were tied at 4-4.

The Broncos added two runs in the top of the eighth inning. A bases-loaded RBI single from Michael Thompson brought in one run while another scored on the play off an error by Hall.

San Jose State would rally in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extra-innings. However, the rally would not be enough to earn the win.

Faulkner's three RBI led the Broncos, while Realini, Bacon and Crosta all posted multiple-hit games.

Anthony Rea earned his second win of the season to go along with four saves. The right-hander pitched the final four innings in the win. Starter Patrick Overholt threw the first five innings of the contest, allowing only four hits in the outing.

The three-game series will conclude on Monday night in a 6 p.m. contest at Municipal Stadium.